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According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Cleveland Browns have offered San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk a larger contract than the 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers.
“They already offered more money than Pittsburgh, more money than San Francisco,” Schefter said during an appearance on Thursday at Pat McAfee Show“They offered a lot, that wasn't the problem. The problem was that he wanted to go somewhere else.”
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports reported on August 9 that the 49ers and Browns discussed trading Aiyuk after he requested a move, even though Cleveland was not one of his preferred locations.
According to Maiocco, the trade proposal involved Amari Cooper as well as future second- and fifth-round draft picks going to San Francisco.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that the Steelers were “just a phone call away” after talks about a transfer, but the 49ers were still negotiating a long-term contract with the receiver.
Aiyuk waited throughout training camp for a new contract and did not participate in the team's first practice since roster cuts on Wednesday. ESPN's Nick Wagoner reported that the receiver was dealing with back and neck issues early in training camp, though 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that he was eventually declared healthy by doctors.
The 26-year-old is expected to earn $14.1 million in 2024 before becoming a free agent the following offseason.
49ers general manager John Lynch addressed Aiyuk's continued absence at practice on Wednesday, telling reporters that “you have to play at some point.”
The pressure is mounting on both sides, especially after the Dallas Cowboys agreed to a four-year, $136 million contract extension with star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb on Monday. Aiyuk and Lamb were both selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
The 49ers will likely also want to resolve the situation before their Week 1 game against the New York Jets on September 9.
